John Simm's Honest Playlist: Starting with Childhood Favorites to Unexplained Dislikes
The initial song I became enamored with
My first memory is entering a room at preschool where they were playing Yellow Submarine by the Fab Four. I was enthralled by the sound effects, and Lennon yelling: “Full speed ahead!” When it reached the hook, I distinctly thought: “This must be music!”
The first 45 I bought
When I was eight years old, I won a contest at school to pick a brand new vinyl to play at the weekly dance party we had on Friday afternoons. My instructor took me to Woolworths, and I picked out Come Back My Love by the group Darts. The first record I bought with my own savings was Mull of Kintyre by Wings from a record shop in Lancashire. It was No 1 at the time, and I selected it when my father noted that it was by one of the Beatles.
The track I do at karaoke
I honestly actively avoid public singing and dodge it at all costs. But under duress, I’d choose Summer Wind by Frank Sinatra.
The song I oddly recite all the words to
I recently became aware that I know almost the entire lyrical content to The Boy in the Bubble, You Can Call Me Al, and each track on Graceland by the legendary songwriter.
The perfect tune to blast at a soirée
It hinges on what stage of the event you are at. For the beginning it would likely be I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye. As the party deepens, I’d work through the Artist, the Rolling Stones and Bowie, and when it gets lively, Phat Planet by Leftfield, Born Slippy .NUXX by Underworld, and Ascension by Gorillaz, which is an undeniable hit.
The track I can never bear
I inexplicably detest Mr Brightside by the Killers.
The best track to make love to
Come Together by John, Paul, George, and Ringo.
The album that altered my perspective
When I was twelve and starting to study the guitar, I’d only listen to early rock ’n’roll, and was obsessed with The King, the rock pioneer, Jerry Lee Lewis, Fats Domino, Buddy Holly and the rockabilly star. Then my babysitter played Let There Be Rock by AC/DC. It was still guitar music, but it was powerful rock music. Instantly after he put the record on the turntable, I was a fan for life.
The song that wakes me in the AM
What’d I Say in its full glory by Ray Charles.
The song that gets me emotional
All music makes me emotional. The Queen of Soul, Frank Sinatra, Elvis and the Beatles all bring a tear to my eye because of the tune and utter brilliance of the singing. But The Ocean by the Sheffield crooner gets me going without fail.
The song I’d like to be played at my final send-off
Elvis. If I’m cremated, I’ll have Burning Love. If I’m laid to rest in the ground, I’ll have Way Down.